Options for grey trim (on a budget) (1 Viewer)

[dallasag]

I have a 2007 Black Garnet Pearl that I love except for the two-tone color that I think makes the car look dated. The photo doesn't show it well, but I have the additional grey trim on the lower part of the doors.

I know I can remove the fender flares and the running boards to reduce the grey. I have hesitated to do that because I dont think it would look all that much better with all the leftover grey and I like the flares catching door dings and my elderly family members and young kids use the running boards. That said, I would consider removing those items if it was part of a bigger plan to address all of the other grey on the bumper, side trim, and maybe grille and wheels.

I would appreciate any thoughts and photo examples. I have reviewed the various threads on plastidip and such on the trim, and haven't been able to find examples of Black Garnet Pearl or examples that involved the stock bumpers and the extra grey trim piece at the bottom like mine. I am not interested in spending $$$$ including new bumpers. Thanks!

 

[Zuberg]

Yank the fender flares. They collect dirt/debris and will rub through the paint on the body (if they haven't already). They were port added extras. Then drive it a few weeks without the flares and see how the new look suits you. Removing the flares really changes the look and gets back to the way Mr. T designed the truck.

The grey cladding on the lower part of the door I haven't seen before. Is it actually trim cladding over the door? Or is the lower part under the side strip actually painted grey? I know the LX have the plastic cladding on the lower doors.

I have a black garnet with grey trim and love the contrast. In fact I added a bit more grey when I did the repaint by color matching the grill center and rear land cruiser badge to be grey. Color matched the dissent front bumper grey as well.

 

[hoser]

If you look long and hard, you might be able to find matching vinyl wrap. The product is not super expensive but the labor is. To do cheap would be to learn how to install yourself. If attempting, I'd wrap it below the belt line so the paint and the vinyl are not side by side. If results are acceptable, then you can try the bumpers.

 

[Zuberg]

What @hoser said is a great idea. I had found this wrap someone posted on mud a while back. It looks pretty close and you could probably get away with using it on the lower doors.

Amazon.com

 

[dallasag]

Wow nice find! I am definitely going to order a sample to check out. Any idea if I can use this to wrap the bumpers too?

Zuberg to answer your question, it is plastic trim on the door.

 

[Manhattan]

I agree with @Zuberg - ditch those fender "garnishes." But, they've been there for 17 years just slowly etching away at the paint. Be prepared to either put them back on (easily done), paint/touch up the scratches or buff out the scratches (best case scenario).

While you're pulling off parts, you could drop the running boards and maybe get a set of step sliders.

The biggie... a bumper. That will take away a bunch of gray and a bunch of cash.

 

[usinglinux]

I have a 2007 Black Garnet Pearl that I love except for the two-tone color that I think makes the car look dated. The photo doesn't show it well, but I have the additional grey trim on the lower part of the doors.

I know I can remove the fender flares and the running boards to reduce the grey. I have hesitated to do that because I dont think it would look all that much better with all the leftover grey and I like the flares catching door dings and my elderly family members and young kids use the running boards. That said, I would consider removing those items if it was part of a bigger plan to address all of the other grey on the bumper, side trim, and maybe grille and wheels.

I would appreciate any thoughts and photo examples. I have reviewed the various threads on plastidip and such on the trim, and haven't been able to find examples of Black Garnet Pearl or examples that involved the stock bumpers and the extra grey trim piece at the bottom like mine. I am not interested in spending $$$$ including new bumpers. Thanks!



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Beautiful rig. Off topic, but what size are those tires?

 

[Mike NXP]

Give it enough time, the two tone retro vibe will look more appealing to you as other cars around us become boring blank sheets of neutral colors with artifical exhaust noises....... I personally like the look of your rig, gives it some character. The most budget friendly option would be to move on and do nothing =] The fender flares are a little bit in your face but it's really not an eye sore, from my point of view

 

[dallasag]

Thanks - an edit to my prior post. The grey cladding area on the bottom of the door isnt plastic. Its either painted or some kind of film. There was a couple areas where it had worn off and I could see black garnet pearl paint. Maybe another port add on? Might anyone have heard of anyone removing that?

 

[hoser]

It is port/dealer installed. I've never seen one on the west coast. Post some closeup pics of the inside of the door where it may or may not wrap around. Pics of the door jamb too.

 

[dallasag]

This definitely looks like a film of some sort. I'd appreciate any insight on removal. It looks more thin than newer PPF and I cant imagine it's going to come off easy in one piece after almost 20 years. It's on the bottom part of the door and also right outside the kick panel.

 

[Manhattan]

Oooh... but imagine how pristine that garnet paint is under there!
I've got to assume there's a process for removing that - maybe heat? Maybe a releasing agent? Maybe I (as in me, I) couldn't resist and would pick at a corner then four hours later, I'd have 3 square inches done and realize I've made a horrible mistake

 

[hoser]

Choose an inconspicuous spot, like underneath a trim panel. Apply heat (heat gun) and try to remove.

 

[dallasag]

Oooh... but imagine how pristine that garnet paint is under there!
I've got to assume there's a process for removing that - maybe heat? Maybe a releasing agent? Maybe I (as in me, I) couldn't resist and would pick at a corner then four hours later, I'd have 3 square inches done and realize I've made a horrible mistake

Ha i did that for about 10 minutes thus producing the tiny spots i took a photo of

 

[dallasag]

Thanks for the rec on the wrap. I ordered a sample and it's way off. I suppose a testament to the uniqueness of the Black Garnet Pearl. I am going to talk to a body shop about idea to remove the grey film, and then consider removing fender flares and getting some sliders.

Anyone know if there might be any Black Friday deals out there on sliders?

 

[Zuberg]

Sorry to hear it didn't match...that's a bummer. White Knuckle usually does a sale around black friday. I'm sure others do too, but I'm biased.

 

[diesel22]

@dallasag how does it look now? I have a 06 Black Garnet Pearl in transit to me and following along this thread, thinking a lot of the same stuff you're thinking. Wondering how you ended up?

 

[NearJetties]

Yank the fender flares. They collect dirt/debris and will rub through the paint on the body (if they haven't already). They were port added extras. Then drive it a few weeks without the flares and see how the new look suits you. Removing the flares really changes the look and gets back to the way Mr. T designed the truck.

The grey cladding on the lower part of the door I haven't seen before. Is it actually trim cladding over the door? Or is the lower part under the side strip actually painted grey? I know the LX have the plastic cladding on the lower doors.

I have a black garnet with grey trim and love the contrast. In fact I added a bit more grey when I did the repaint by color matching the grill center and rear land cruiser badge to be grey. Color matched the dissent front bumper grey as well.

View attachment 3771105

View attachment 3771106

View attachment 3771109

Also off topic but what wheels are those?

Also can you share a photo of the truck with the grey dissent bumper? Paint or powder coat?

 

[Zuberg]

Also off topic but what wheels are those?

Also can you share a photo of the truck with the grey dissent bumper? Paint or powder coat?

Those are FN wheels Five Stars.

Don't have a pic of bumper on the truck as I'm still working on it. I'll post one in couple months when the build is done, too many concurrent projects. Bumper was painted and cleared though.